Sizing for All Sized Motorcycle Helmets

When you are considering buying a new fiber carbon motorcycle helmet there are many things to consider. Do you want a full, a 3/4, or a half? Do you want the visor to flip up or not? Do you need a small, medium, or large? Maybe you need an even bigger sized helmet!

If you are in the market for a helmet over a large be aware, they can be hard to find in a store. If you are looking for an XXXL Carbon Fiber Helmet you may need to turn to an online store. These helmets are rare and are not always the most stylish. Style is not the reason for buying the helmet though, it's safety.

To make sure you do in fact need an XXXL Motorcycle Helmet, you want to follow the sizing chart provided by the helmet manufacturer. The size of your helmet is primarily based on your hat size, and the measurement of your head. You will want to take a tape measure and wrap it snuggly around your forehead area. Once you have done that, check your measurements. XXXL Motorcycle Helmets are generally made for men with heads that measure 66-67 centimeters around. They usually will wear a hat size of 8 1/4- 8 3/8.

Tips to Take Home a Motorcycle

Of course people like to dream and when it comes to dreaming, many youngsters dream to own motorbikes which can run as fast as they can on the roads. In fact it is a thrilling experience to drive the motorbike in hilly regions, terrains, small lanes, deserts, seashore and valleys.

The young son aged ten years starts imagining about riding a motorcycle while he sees his dad proceeding towards his office riding on a motorcycle. He never misses a single opportunity to go along with his dad by sitting on the motorcycle and he starts dreaming a lot in his heart about driving the vehicle in deserts, roads and streets.

When it comes to buying one motorcycle, the buyer has to follow certain basic principles. He should finalize his purchase decision depending upon the various factors namely; the affordability; features available in the vehicle; the mileage potential and availability of spare parts in the case of old and second hand vehicles etc.

Basic Motorcycle Gear

Riding a motorcycle on or off-road is not an addiction, it is a way of life. Anyone that rides does it for the love of it. There is no other way to experience the freedom and the camaraderie that comes with riding. Riding also means that an understanding of basic motorcycle gear is no longer something that you have to think about. You already know.

Unlike a car, the design of a motorcycle offers no protection to their rider. There are no seat belts or air bags in case of a collision, no reinforced framework to help lessen the impact. These are the things that the basic motorcycle gear is designed to do. Protect the rider in the best ways that it can to lessen these shortcomings during an accident.

Motorcycle Accidents Are Rarely Minor

You've seen them in your car on the highway: one, or possibly even a crew of bikers gunning it down an open road. Clad in cool, tough-looking leather, and with the wind on their face, it looks like the picture of freedom. But it's not hard to imagine travelling at such high velocities on top of an open machine going horribly wrong. When a motorcyclist is involved in an accident, there can be losses to normal functioning, disfigurement, and even death. Once you decide to drive a motorcycle, you need to be sure you've got insurance to absorb the costs should you be involved in an accident. It's also wise to seek a lawyer's help in giving you all the power you can towards a full recovery and towards only paying for what is really necessary.

When a motorcyclist is involved in an accident, there is much less to protect him than the driver of a car. There is no metal to absorb some of the fall, and no seat belt to keep him in place. Not surprising then that they are in a riskier situation. The treatment you'll need should you crash your motorcycle might range from physiotherapy, chiropractic, acupuncture or massage therapy. Another cause for concern is recouping lost income, attendant care, and other expenses in your life that you won't be able to earn money for while you're sitting out with a serious injury. There are plenty of instances where a car crash is perhaps scary or worrying, but doesn't entail serious damage to the driver. It's a very rare instance when a motorcyclist can walk away from his bike with just a bit of a headache, a small limp, and carry on with his life. It's wise to be protected.

Motorcycle Maintenance Q and A

Owning a motorcycle can be frustrating when you aren't able to do regular maintenance on it without seeking the help of a professional mechanic. Fortunately, basic maintenance, such as recharging the battery, is relatively easy to learn. Here are some common maintenance questions that motorcycle owners ask and easy answers about how to keep your bike in good shape.

Is it safe to check the oil level of my bike when the engine is hot? Motorcycle owners go both ways on this one. Some prefer to check the oil when it's hot, because it makes for a better oil change should it be necessary. Others like to check it when the engine is cool. It's recommended to check the oil when the heat level on the dipstick reads between hot and cold.

Visiting the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa Iowa

I have an addiction to most things motorcycle. When I learned there was a motorcycle museum, and the National Motorcycle Museum at that, I headed for Anamosa, Iowa. The National Motorcycle Museum opened in 1989, and in 2012 moved to a large space right off U.S. Highway 151. It doesn't look like much from the outside, since it is a converted Walmart, but it's the inside of a museum that makes the difference.

There is dedicated motorcycle parking out front, enclosed in cement barriers with motorcycle-sized gaps, to prevent people from filling it up with cars. There isn't a discount in tickets for riders though. I asked. There are a variety of stickers and patches, so you can prove you were there.

Inside is a small gift shop and desk where you pay to get into the museum itself. The large space in broken up into exhibits, some walled off and some separated only by space. With over 300 motorcycles on display there is something for everyone. The one machine that caught my attention was the steam powered motorcycle, with the boiler between the rider's legs!

Wandering around, it was hard to follow a specific path. One of Evel Knieval's Harleys (in an un-crashed state) was on display, as well as a Captain America chopper from Easy Rider. I had seen another one of these in another museum, but this one also had s certificate from Peter Fonda, saying it was authentic. Since only one of the two copies made for the movie survived, this is a unique piece of American Motorcycling history.

The Secret Motorcycle Signal

There have already been many articles written about motorcycle hand signals and what they mean. So of course I'll have to add my version and hopefully it'll make it all clear as mud. To be clear I'm not talking about the mechanical hand signals that they teach you on the motorcycle safety class. Those are still useful and by the way are still used especially when group riding. What I am talking about is at the highest level is simply the greeting that one rider pays to another when passing on the road. At other levels, there is apparently much deeper meanings in what seems to be but a simple hand motion. Historically, waving at a fellow traveler as you meet him on the road goes back to the beginning of time.

Even now, at least out in the country, it's still customary to wave at the people you meet even if you don't know them. It should also be noted that motorcycle riders aren't the only ones that have a history of doing this. Jeep owners will attest that they will also wave at other Jeep owners as they pass them on the road. Although in the Jeep's case I think it's more of a sign of a relief. Basically, I'm still running and you're still running lets celebrate for a second. When a Jeep owner waves it's basically a lift of the fingers off the steering wheel in kind of a subtle acknowledgment that hey I was brave enough to buy one of these clunkers to. They all seemed to do it the same way, I didn't see very much variation in how they did it. I think they're just afraid to take their hands off of the steering wheel.


Motorcycle riders seem to have a lot of variation in how they wave from the cool peace sign down low to the newby all out thrashing of the arm. There also seem to be some kind of message that's getting passed. The main thing is that riders expect to get a sign when they meet a fellow rider on the road. The only pass given is when you or the other guy is in traffic and you need to clutch. When you don't get anything, it's a sign of disrespect, and I'm told that if your left hand happened to stay on your left thigh as you passed the other guy those are fightin' words because you basically are saying that you saw the other guy, could have signed him, but chose not to acknowledge him.

10 Tips for Purchasing a Motorcycle

Many of you may be thinking of purchasing a new or new-to-you motorcycle. With the plethora of models, brands, and styles out there, filtering all the information you're going to be hearing and seeing to find the bike that's just right for you can be a daunting exercise. It can also be lots of fun.

Here are some general guidelines to follow whether you're buying new or used.

Determine what kind of riding you want to do. If you are fortunate enough to have more than one in your stable, it's less of an issue. For most of us, we have to decide which model best incorporates the kind of riding we will be doing most of the time. Not only do you need to think about whether it's a cruiser, sport bike, touring or off road - think about whether you'll be regularly carrying a passenger and luggage and the weight capacity of the bike.

Purchase a bike that's compatible with your skill level and riding experience. Don't buy something that you can "grow into". This is risky behaviour and will jeopardize your safety. It's much better to become proficient on a bike suitable to your skill level and then, when you're ready, move up to a more powerful bike.

Sit on the bike in the riding position. How comfortable is it for you? Is it a stretch to reach the controls or the ground? Can you picture yourself in this position for extended periods? Feel the wind in your face.

Consider how often you are going to have to take it in and how convenient the location and their hours of operation are. Talk to others who have used the service resource to determine their credibility and service level.Ask about the frequency of maintenance and the subsequent costs.

Assess. If you like to perform routine maintenance yourself, how simple is it to do? Do you need to purchase other equipment such as a lift? How readily available are replacement parts?

Purchase from a salesperson who is also a rider. Enough said.

Remember that all bikes can be customized - at least to a certain extent. If you see one that's just right for you except for a few adjustments or accessories, ask what's available (and where) in parts and accessories to make that bike yours.

Bring an experienced rider with you. They may pick up things that you miss.

Resist the temptation to purchase the 1st bike you see. There are lots to choose from. It's an important purchase and even more important to make an objective decision.

Research. Talk to other trustworthy riders, retailers, insurance companies. Beware of forums - they can have valuable advice; on the other hand, you usually don't know who you're talking to so can't reliably assess their level of expertise - even though they may sound like an expert.
Do your homework, ask lots of questions, then listen to your heart. Make an informed decision - and enjoy the ride!

Liz Jansen

Liz Jansen is an author, speaker, coach and rider extraordinaire. She's thrilled that her work now brings her experience in the corporate world together with her love of adventure.

Her mission: to create the environment for others to discover their personal power and grow. Through her practice, she has served hundreds of clients and her network reaches across Canada, the US and to Europe and Australia.

Liz has worked with individual and corporate clients, in both private and public sectors. She has contributed articles to the Toronto Star, several national magazines as well as online ezines. Her expertise has been sought for interviews on television, traditional and on-line radio, magazine and newspaper articles.

To learn more about her book Women, Motorcycles and the Road to Empowerment, to receive a review copy or to book the author for an interview or speaking engagement, visit http://www.lizjansen.com

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Choosing the Right Motorcycle Tail Bag

If you have a motorbike, then you know that most motorbikes do not have enough space to store the things you need while traveling. There are times when you will find yourself in need of tools while on your bike, and there are several options how you can store these tools safely and comfortably. One of these options is having a motorcycle tail bag. This bag does not have the largest storage space but it is very useful in times of urgency. Having this kind of bag will give you both tranquility of mind when you travel, and relief when you need it. It may also be used with the windshield bag, so that you will be able to increase your storage space. By using this, you can have a more comfortable and pleasurable journey than ever.

Motorcycle tail bags have enough storage space to hold your gloves, keys, maps, glasses, mobile phone, chargers and other personal effects. There are varieties of bags available in the market with different colors, sizes, designs and models, so you will be able to find the best bag for you. Depending on your preference, you can choose a model based on your storage needs, your bike model and the overall appearance that you want to achieve.

There are some guidelines are very important to remember if you are going to buy a new motorcycle tail bag. Mainly, you have to remember that not every bag is suitable for you or your bike. The material, size and color vary from bag to bag. The most important factors while buying this bag includes the quality, cost, and the size of the bag in question.

Quality cannot be compromised, since this will determine how useful the bag will be for you. Hence, the first thing that you must consider is the quality. A bag's quality includes a lot of things, ranging from the material from where the bag is made, to how well it is stitched together, to how durable the material is. The last point is very important, because if you have an accident, the quality of the bag must be strong enough to preserve it from any significant damage. The higher the quality of the bag, the more likely it would be durable and strong, and you will be confident in keeping your sensitive items like mobile phones or camera in it while riding.

While it is not a guarantee, the price usually decides the quality of the product. Good quality bags are valued at $50 or more. However, if you really want to have a good quality bag, you should look for branded bags from companies that have been in the business for a long time. A lot of motorcycle companies create bags that are specially designed to be durable, hardy and waterproof.

There is a wide variety of motorcycle tail bags with different styles that are suitable for different models of bikes. Before purchasing any type of bag, the size of the bag must be considered. Keep in mind your bike model and then select the one that perfectly matches, fits and suits it, and one which does not create any disturbances during riding. Do not purchase one whose storage capacity, size or quality cannot be of any use for you. Remember, quality does come at a price!

For more information about motorcycle tail bag, please visit us at http://www.vikingbags.com

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Motorcycle HID Kits

Whether you are interested in being safe or turning heads, you will achieve both by installing a HID kit in your motorcycle. Not only do the bright lights make a dramatic difference and customize the look of your machine, they enhance your safety enabling you to see better and be seen at night.

Motorcycle HID bulbs

The new technology in HID kits enables you to convert your halogen headlights into super performance HID bulbs which produce three times the light without compromising on focus or correct beam patterns. Standard xenon bulbs have a single beam which is used for either low or high beam. Bi-xenon bulbs provide both low and high beam in the same bulb using xenon and halogen gases. Purpose made xenon HID bulbs have a UV cut to avoid scratching the plastic lenses and come with a metal or ceramic holder. HID bulbs have a lifespan of three to five years.

HID bulbs come in various sizes which match your current halogen headlights. Simply check the headlight you want to replace or look in your owner's manual to find the size such as H1, H3, H4, H7 etc. This means they will fit into your existing headlights without any need for modification. Twin headlight HID kits are suitable for motorcycles with two headlamps.

The color temperature of the HID bulbs typically comes in 4300K, 6000K which produces diamond white and is the most popular, 8000K which gives blue light, a deeper blue at 10000K and violet at 30000K.

CAN-Bus HID kits

An advanced bulb warning system is installed in newer motorcycles, mainly in BMW bikes from 2005 onwards. This CAN-Bus system cuts out the power to the headlights if bulbs are running at less than 55W. Since HID bulbs are only 35W, this safety feature can interfere with common HID kits and cause flickering and possible radio interference. If your motorcycle has this system, you need to purchase a CAN-Bus HID kit to prevent false bulb warnings.

Slim digital ballasts

Many kits make use of the new slim digital ballasts with separate starter. This improves reliability and saves on space and weight. They are simple to install and easier maintained. Ballasts are usually made from steel or aluminium and are waterproof and vibration resistant. They also have a shut off mode to avert damage or flammability if a malfunction occurs.

HID kit components

A kit will contain bulbs with the size and color chosen by the buyer, ballasts, mounting brackets, harness wire and screws. Manufacturers should provide a one to two year warranty covering the failure of any components within the kit.

Most HID kits are designed to be 'plug and play' systems and installation is found not to take any longer than sixty minutes though the time varies depending on the type of motorcycle. Each kit should come with an instruction manual which shows you how to replace your halogen bulls with HID lights by plugging the bulb to the ballast and the ballast plugs to the factory OEM harness.

General or brand name motorcycle kits

It is possible to buy either general motorcycle HID kits or to purchase ones for different makes and models of motorbikes. Those who manufacture HID headlight kits for their make of motorcycle have very specialized knowledge and experience of their bikes, and ensure that all the kits pass rigorous quality testing. HID headlight kits can cost anywhere from $45-$300, with the ones specific to motorcycle brands being more expensive.

A HID Bulb is the longest lasting and best headlight on the market today. Motorcycle HID kits are a hot and high-in-demand headlight when customizing a bike.

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